The Eaton County Planning Commission on Oct. 7 approved a conditional use permit for a commercial recreational facility proposed by CP 1 LLC / The Quarry LLC to operate event venues, short-term rentals and related amenities on about 240 acres that combine four parcels near East Clinton Trail, Stewart Road and South Perky Road. The approval was contingent on multiple conditions and revised engineering drawings.

Planning staff presented a large-scale site plan for phased development that includes an 18,200-square-foot main event building (two stories), multiple short-term rental cottages (24 cabins proposed), a 75-by-60 foot pole barn for events, an amphitheater on an island in an existing reclamation lake, and accessory structures. The applicants propose up to 800-person capacity for the main event venue with a parking plan for 220 vehicles; earlier phases would include a smaller 75x60 pole building for events intended to open before year-end 2025 and cabins constructed in 2026. Applicants estimate event hours up to midnight with music ending by 11 p.m.; staff-recorded site hours and staffing estimates for the various sites were included in the report.

Multiple agencies supplied detailed review comments. The Charlotte Fire Department required engineered fire-protection plans, a monitored fire-alarm system, emergency (knox) access for gated roads, engineered private roads with unique names and addressing, designated fire lanes and hydrant placement, widened emergency access to the amphitheater island, and a small boat launch for rescue access. MDOT requested a traffic-impact study for M-50 intersections. The Berrien District Health Department approved the project to proceed to permitting for wells and septic systems and said it will coordinate with EGLE where necessary. The Eaton County Road Commission recommended driveway upgrades to commercial standards and limits on which driveways may serve as primary public access. The Eaton Conservation District recommended denial citing missing hydraulic analyses, but staff concluded the submitted site plan met zoning and site-plan requirements and that the proposed lake is tied to the existing surface-mine reclamation plan.

Applicants and managers — Chad Crandall (owner) and Adam and Haley Auvenshine (operations managers) — addressed the commission and neighbors, saying they will work with sound consultants, hire private security for larger events, limit overnight stays to permitted short-term rentals (not a campground), and retain berming and tree buffers from the former mining operation to reduce noise and visual impacts. The applicants said they will provide contracts for waste hauling and a security company as conditions of approval.

A commissioner moved to approve the conditional use with conditions requiring an updated engineered site plan that satisfies the reviewing agencies, that cabins be constructed in a way allowing separation into conforming parcels if the business closes, and that copies of the security and trash contracts be submitted when secured. The motion passed by unanimous roll call. Planning staff noted this is the beginning of a multi-year permitting and construction process; applicants and staff must coordinate final engineering, building-permit submissions, fire-protection plans and health-department approval before construction.